time to put your face on

[maskormods]

T E S T D R I V E M E M E

Considering apping into MASK OR MENACE? Want to dip your toes into the setting and get a feel of whether your character will fit into it? Or maybe you're just cruising and want to play around? Then you've come to the right place!

Pick any of the following scenarios below or feel free to make up your own, but don't be afraid to throw yourself at someone else's thread, either!

And remember there's only one rule in Test Drive Meme Club: HAVE FUN ON THE TEST DRIVE MEME!

01.The city of Heropa is what one might expect from a small, bright and cheery place, where locals are friendly enough and local shop owners might offer a free drink to welcome you to their fair city.

The current craze sweeping the city and social media is getting people on their feet: the Camp Midnight Challenge! Based on a popular video game, the goal is to get the funkiest, silliest, most eye-catching dance sequence on video—with a twist! Successful completion of this challenge requires getting an imPort to join in a duo dance that incorporates their powers! Swarms of eager teens, tweens and would-be BlueTube stars are out and about on the sidewalk looking for newcomers to join in. If they spot you, you better come up with a good excuse or put your dancing shoes on!

02. De Chima, Virginia, is a large city with a healthy economy, with large numbers of citizens waiting to be awed by your very presence. Look at you! Organic wonder! Synthetic wonder! Whatever you might be, those words have meaning here. Science and technology are the lifeblood of this city, so you're likely to come across a good many locals taking your picture with the newest of devices or recently published PLoS papers. The imPort craze remains high here, and you may find yourself cornered by overzealous imPort fans, media wannabes and opportunists alike, shoving cameras in your face.

Today in De Chima, there's the unveiling of a brand new invention in the convention centre park! With a simple scan, it will print out your Closest Love Match of the other individuals present, along with your percentage of compatibility and a free coupon to get lunch with your new date if you match 90% or higher!

A little odd that it seems that nearly every couple has 90% or higher, isn't it? What's the probability that the scanner is broken?

03. Maurtia Falls, Pennsylvania has carried a reputation for ups and downs ever since imPorts began reappearing again, just those few years prior. Several imPort heroes have put focused efforts into cleaning up the streets of this somewhat infamous city, while a handful of others had swooped in to help the criminal industry thrive. More so here than the streets of any other imPort city, the battle between good and evil looks more like a war of escalation than a heroic tale. Everything from the classic bank heist to brutal bloodbaths can happen around the corner. You have to keep your eyes open and your mind sharp when you live in Maurtia Falls, and hostility against imPorts can spike. The emergence of locals with superpowers is hardly helping...

Local resistance to superheroes has made the city a popular gathering place for experimental engineers and scientists whose methods are misunderstood by the establishment, aka 'mad scientists.' Today, the latest creation of a former food scientist who used to work for Yell-O Desserts, is rising up in gooshy style!

From the canal that bisects the city rises a giant, gooshy, uh....thing. The blob slowly begins to ooze through town, growing larger as it consumes anything it comes across, absorbing it into its gooey depths. It's slow, but relentless, and doesn't have any obvious weak spots. Will you attempt to fight back and arrest its gelatinous progress, help the slow runners get away or make a break for it yourself? Or maybe see how good a dessert it makes?

04. Nonah, North Carolina, is the liveliest of all cities; loud, busy and there's always some kind of energy in the air that gets everyone buzzing with excitement.

This month there's the release of a hot new movie about imPorts themselves, though in order to evade copyright, it seems that the imPorts on screen are simply amalgamations of several different imPorts through the years instead of staying faithful to one true story. They've got everything! Action! Romance! Death! Desire. It's a whole load of hooey, in other words, but it's hooey with a big budget. What this means, however, is that even the newest imPorts are being roped into this red carpet affair. Even if they're simply passing by on the street, an eager reporter may well step up to you, saying, "Oh, are you an imPort? Please, you must come in! No, I insist!"

If you succumb to their pushy ways, you'll find yourself in a gala, likely unprepared and underdressed for the flash of the cameras and an endless torrent of questions about what you want to do here as an imPort, whether or not you feel you'll find love in this place, whether or not you fear an inevitable port-out (despite the fact that you may have just gotten here!) and will be plied with food and, if you're of age, with plenty of booze.

05. Jeopardy, Nevada by all rights shouldn't exist. A glowing neon city smack in the middle of the desert, the only reason it's still here is that the central nuclear power plant has tapped half a mile down into a subterranean lake for its water supply. So though the desert around it may be barren, the occupants of this small city are happily self sufficient. Those weird figures you see out of the corner of your eyes? Don't worry too much. Probably just weird radiation after effects. Jeopardy has a lot of those.

You're in luck! You're just in time for Jeopardy's traditional Valentine's Race!

The premise of the race is simple: hogtie your lover, throw them over your shoulder (or back, if needed), and carry them from the bank of the train station (it's actually not a train station, it's a non-functioning movie set that's been turned into a museum, but it's still called "the train station.") While the tradition says "lover," as long as the person you tie up has consented to it, it's allowed!

At the end of the race, the Mayor gives a short speech about love, and movies, and tradition. She's also baked thousands of Valentine's and heart-themed desserts for all participants and audience members! They just happen to all be... shaped like the actual heart organ, rather than the symbol.

Comments

xion | kingdom hearts

[marxionette]

de chima

[ There are far worse places to be than in this world, but that doesn't necessarily make her happy. Separated from her friends, forgotten by the world at large - that's a heavy burden for one girl to bare... especially it seems as though those troubles extend here. She finds she has to introduce herself to people two or three times before it seems to stick, and even then, sometimes her housemates and coworkers still forget her name.

But being noticed and approached by eager citizens, even when she doesn't necessarily want to be, is nice. Especially after so long with no one to talk to... And it makes it very hard to say no when they want pictures, or autographs, or to have her test their crazy machines.

The person operating the machine grabs her and another passerby, runs it - and look at that! A 90 percent match. ]

Are we really that compatible...? [ Oh hey, a coupon. Neat. ]

nonah.

A movie? [ Is all it takes before she's eagerly ushered into the gala by overeager civilians. Her hood is up, face mostly obscured, but that doesn't stop people from recognizing her as one of the new imPorts and rushing to make conversation. Some are friendly, asking after her name and her powers, and some...

Some are too friendly. One in particular begins talking a mile a minute about their version of this concept, based off of their fanfiction. At first, she listens because it's polite and because their enthusiasm is catching... but it quickly wears on it. Especially when they start talking about their own imPort and Civillian friendship fanworks and novel ideas.

She's pretty sure you don't make friends by shoving yourself into their life, but hey, what does she know?

Trying to politely excuse herself doesn't really work. She makes a valiant effort to escape into the crowd more than once, but this person has decided she's lonely and needs the company. Talking about how hard it must be to be here all alone, and - and she just grabs the arm of the nearest person. ]

There you are. I've been looking all over for you! Sorry, we've got to go. [ The fan looks disappointed but undetoured. They're finding their imPort best friend tonight, and they disappear back into the crowd. She manages a few steps away, more or less dragging her human escape excuse, before glancing apologetically at the person she'd grabbed. ] Sorry. I didn't really mean to drag you into that, I just didn't know how to get away... you can go if you want.

nonah

[pullsheavendown]

[Roxas isn't sure what to make of this imPort movie business, not at all. They say it's not about actual people who've been here, but it kind of is at the same time, right? The thought makes his skin crawl. He can't imagine ever wanting that many people to watch even a fake version of his life....especially a fake version.

But he's getting tired of moping at home alone, doing almost nothing. At least this got him out of the house. Still, he's feeling the weight of too many eyes on him, which prompts him to pull up the hood of his jacket (not his black coat, and he's wondering now if not wearing it was a mistake and how risky it might be to take a corridor home without it) to make himself less recognizable. He's on the verge of ducking out early when someone grabs his arm, and it actually comes as a relief—he goes along with it, dragged to the side and not getting a good look until he shoves his hood down to restore his peripheral vision.]

It's okay, I didn't really want to—wait...

[She's got a hood too...a black hood, a coat very much like his own. Identical, in fact.]

Who...are you?

[marxionette]

[ She should have been paying more attention. Double checked before she tried to make a hasty escape. Because now she can feel the ache of her heart in her chest, her eyes wide underneath the shadow of her hood.

The thing about hearts that the organization didn't tell you is how much pain you feel when they break. An incomplete person can only feel the shadow of the pain of being forgotten.

It was her choice. What right does she have to be upset about it? She thinks that Sora, from what she understands of him as a person, would have the strength to stand there. To endure it. But the world's memories of him had been restored by the time he'd climbed out of the pod, he'd never had to deal with this terrible moment. A best friend not recognizing him.

She lets go. ]

I... should get going.

[pullsheavendown]

[He half-expects the girl in the coat—the mark of the Organization even if Riku had worn it too—to turn on him now, reveal that it was just a ruse to get him away and then try to use him or bring him back to the fold, reveal that the others are here and he has never been safe in this world.

But she tries to leave.]

No, wait! [This time it's his turn to reach out and catch her sleeve.] I said who are you? Why are you dressed like that?

[marxionette]

[ Her eyes are burning.

This was always going to be hard. Always. There would be no easy way to see someone who you had known, who had shaped who you were as a person and a friend, and see no recognition in their eyes.

He catches her sleeve and stops her escape. It's so horribly familiar, all of it. Wanting to run and leave him behind, to figure out how to solve this problem on her own so she could be with the both of them, like they'd promised - except now he doesn't even know. ]

Let me go, Roxas.

[pullsheavendown]

No!

[She knows his name. She knows him. Immediately, he begins searching frantically for any memory of who she could be, but there's nothing. They were only thirteen, never more than that, and he remembers all their names. So how?]

How do you know me? Where did you come from? Are you one of them?

[marxionette]

[ It isn't fair. It isn't fair.

She tries to tug her arm from his grip. His questions come in rapid fire and she doesn't know how to begin with the first two.

So she just shakes her head. Takes a steadying breath. ]

I'm not one of them. [ I gave up everything to not be. ]

I really hate myself for this thread GOD

[pullsheavendown]

[He lets go, but only after another couple of seconds. If he doesn't, this might turn into a fight—and he can fight if it comes to that, but he doesn't want to now. Not when he doesn't have answers.

Besides...the way she's acting, it's almost like she's scared, and that twists something in his stomach.]

Then who are you? What's your name?

de chima

[dreamprotector]

[Riku really isn't all that interested in his new found fame – he's somehow made the cover of a gossip magazine earlier that month and it still bothers him a lot. Mainly because his classmates are being even more weird than they were before already and well.

De Chima is usually easier to move in by now than Maurtia Falls; the larger city offers a certain amount of anonymity, especially while he keeps the hood of his sweater up.

…And still there are moments like this one where he is dragged off into some match making scheme. Great.

Given what he's learned about this world in the past month, he isn't really surprised that he's supposed to be a match with the other poor person they pulled out of the crowd for this. He shakes his head at her question–]

I seriously doubt–

[–and that's the first time he actually looks at her–

–and promptly starts to stare, because…]

You…!?

[Isn't she… the girl from Sora's Heart?]

[marxionette]

[ These kids and their wild hoodie fashions. Her eyes are on the heart on the matchmaking screen, mind a million miles away. What would it be like to actually feel these feelings - can she now, that she's a whole person? Is she a whole person? Could she all along.

The coupon is in hand and she thinks it's probably a little awkward to ask someone to dinner based on what a random machine that may or may not be rigged says. But she's hungry, and honestly, it could be nice to make a friend here.

And then he speaks and she's pulled from her own thoughts. There's no mistaking that voice, nor the tone of it. The - the recognition in it. Her head snaps up. ]

Riku...?

[dreamprotector]

[Look, sometimes you just gotta keep it under the hood!

Though given that she knows his name, and well that he can be somewhat hopeful that he won't be recognized here beyond that, Riku reaches up to draw his back, eyes a little narrow as he continues to stare… he had thought as much when he had seen her first… she looks almost exactly like Kairi.

His throat feels a little tight for some reason, when he confirms.]

…Yea.

[She had known him then too, back when she had asked him that question, the only one to call him by name. He doesn't know if that's because she's a part of Sora that she knows him, or maybe if they have met before… but wouldn't he remember that?

Anyway…]

You are the girl from Sora's Heart… aren't you?

[marxionette]

Oh.

[ That's the problem with hope, isn't it? You feel it, you feel the lightness in your heart and get excited for the possibilities it brings - and then you're crushed under the weight of your despair. Riku wouldn't remember her, for all the times he'd helped her he'd been working towards his own goals. To ensure she returned to where she was supposed to be, and made the right decision for everyone.

( if it was so right for everyone, why does she still feel so angry? )

Her hands raise, knotting together in front of her. ]

That's me.

[dreamprotector]

[He reaches over to let his hand hover hers… not quite taking them into his own, but wanting… a gentle gesture like he remembers using with Naminé too… because she looks like she needs one of those.

She looks like she needs some kind of comfort… and well, he is going to try, to offer at least a little… especially since…]

Please… what's your name? You didn't tell me, when I saw you there… and I'd like to thank you properly.

[Because without her, without Roxas or the other boy with Roxas' face, he'd never have been able to wake Sora. He knows this, is sure of it.]

[marxionette]

[ She doesn't pull away. If he were to bridge the gap she'd allow it. ]

Xion. [ She lets out a breath. Tries to push past the sadness and hurt - there are worse things than standing here and talking to him, after all. Things worse than being forgotten. ] Sora's... He's very lucky to have a friend like you, Riku.

nonah!! memory twin sister girl!

[heartslight]

[ Kairi isn't much of a fan of all this strange attention either, even if she tries to humor them as much as possible — too kind to tell them to leave her alone, when they're so excited. She's friendly as a default, at least.

But when someone's grabbing her arm, she can't help but look toward them in confusion — at least until she realizes the clothing they're wearing. She doesn't have the best experiences with most black-coat-wearing people, especially ones who grab her arm and drag her places.

So there's a gasp, and she's being pulled away before she realizes it. At first, she wants to think it's Roxas, because she knows he's here and has this clothing as well, but the voice is very distinctly not his. If only she could see who they are. Who she is?

She's about to protest when Xion begins ... apologizing? Kairi's hearts beating a mile a minute, and her minds thinking of all the things she could do to get away, but. ]

H-Huh? [ Okay wait ask the important thing first, Kairi. She still can't see her face under that hood. ] Who are you? Is that really all you wanted?

just don't cut your hair and we'll be fine and no one will be confused itll be great

[marxionette]

[ She's looking at her face, only it's not a mirror. It's not her face. She's sure that horror must be in her expression, whereas this girl is reflecting fear and nervousness.

This is the inspiration for her face. This is Kairi. All she is, is a reflection of how a boy saw a girl. An imperfect interpretation.

She had questions. She wanted to know if Kairi loved the seas as much as she did, if she still sat on the tree with the boys and wondered about the future. If they were happy now.

Xion lets go immediately, taking a few steps back. ]

That's it. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

or she DOES cut her hair and everyone is confused. that's half the fun of a twin right

[heartslight]

[ Okay, this reaction is throwing her off a bit. Well actually, a lot. It's not what she was expecting.

She rubs her arm where she'd been grabbed, out of slight nervousness. It doesn't hurt — Xion didn't grab her in any sort of painful or uncomfortable way — it's just ...

All this makes Kairi's demeanor switch to something less guarded — more curiosity now. But still some concern. ]

It's ... okay, it's just ... Who are you? You're from the Organization, right?

[ The clothing is kind of the dead giveaway. It's bothering her that she can't see the face under her hood, yet, still. ]

sharing clothes and deliberately messing with people this sounds like a plan

[marxionette]

I'm...

[ She hadn't met Kairi. There wasn't anything for Kairi to forget. Yet her name still catches in her throat. Instead she gives her head a shake, the hood shifting back just a little with the motion. Enough to show off the hint of a nose, and a mouth forced into a strained sort of smile. ]

No, I'm not with them. I just... haven't found anything else I like to wear.

it's the only direction to properly take this relationship duh

[heartslight]

[ Kairi's highly interested in what this girl's face looks like when she sees bits of it — it looks weirdly familiar. Enough to make her heart skip a beat without her really fully realizing why.

But she continues to look a bit concerned. ]

So ... you left? [ A pause. ] Then you know Roxas, too, right? He's not with them, either.

[ At least, as far as she's aware. But if there's two of them that have left the Organization, then they could be friends, right? Does Roxas know this girl? Surely he would, if they were both in it ... ]

[marxionette]

[ Roxas.

Despite herself, she flinches at the sound of his name. ]

We worked together, for a little while... I don't think he'd remember it, though. [ She tries her best to keep her tone light, but the bone-weary sadness seeps in. ] I left to make sure they wouldn't succeed. I'm... I'm not a threat to anybody here, now.

de chima!

[happylocksmith]

Hey wait, I'm not looking for a-

[But it's too late, this particular teenage boy's protests go unnoticed as he's scanned and apparently a love match has been made between him and some other girl and he feels really, really terrible about it.

Kairi can never, ever know!!

Out pops a coupon for free food and Sora's had barely a moment to understand it all before he's turning around and looking at who he's been matched with and for a split second before it all registers he starts to blurt out:]

I'm sorry, I'm sure you're a really nice person and if the machine says that we're a good match then I'd love to be your friend but I-

[And then he stops and actually registers the small figure in the Organization coat that he's been matched with and now he doesn't know what to think. They're too small to be the first Xehanort, and that's definitely not Roxas.

But that girl in the dream had been wearing an Organization coat too... it couldn't be, could it?]

...do I know you?

[marxionette]

[ It's him.

Of course it's him. Not asleep in the pod, or a lost boy exploring the depths of his heart. Xion freezes like a deer caught in headlights, her hands caught midair while reaching for the coupon.

If he exists, and she exists, then - then that means everything is alright now, isn't it? It's okay to exist. She can do it guiltlessly now, right?

... So why is she still so upset? So angry? Is this the true depth of anger as a complete person? Something that makes her hands tremble minutely as she pulls them back. Who is she even angry at? It's not his fault that any of this happened, that these choices had to be made. He was just more important. ]

We've never met before.

[happylocksmith]

But you-

[He doesn't know this girl but he could swear her knew this girl and he can't even begin to explain why he feels that.]

I coulda sworn...

[He feels unsettled and confused, but then he shakes his head and laughs, shrugging off his awkwardness. There's a mystery to get to the bottom of it here, but he's not going to get anywhere if he just stands there gawping. This poor girl might think he's a weirdo! Instead, he smiles at her and offers his hand.]

Well I guess we're meeting now! I'm Sora, it's nice to meet you.

[marxionette]

[ He is a weirdo, and nothing will convince her otherwise... But he's also her baseline, whose memories gave her this form and this life. There's a lot to be thankful for, even if there's also a lot to be angry for.

Not a lot of that anger is actually his fault. It was just... circumstances. Terrible, terrible circumstances.

There's a lot to unpack about her relationship with Sora. She isn't sure he knows how to even start doing that. Not now, at least. When he's smiling at her so guilelessly and offering his hand out.

She reaches out to take his hand tentatively. ]

... Xion. It's nice to [ finally ] meet you, Sora.

[happylocksmith]

Xion.

[His chest feels tight.

He's not sure how or why but it feels odd, and there's this strange feeling weighing heavy on him, nudging at him like he's missing something but he's not sure what or how. It's weird and uncomfortable, almost like it hurts.

He gives her hand a shake, and it's small, it fits in his in almost the same way that Kairi's does, but the leather of her glove and the fact he can't see her face properly as well makes this exchange feel nothing like it.]

This is gonna sound really weird but... are you sure we haven't met before? I met someone once who reminds me of you.